Processing of thread or the like



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Feb. 1, 1936 7 9 H 0 5 3 6 8 I z z 8 w bn M I m I III 4 A R 8 J W 6 w Z x w "(I m v a 4 v 0 Z F 7 I J 8 i 4 9 lu H \ll mHHH Wfi 7 u o u n 7 n 9 w. l lh MW 1 m w n a m 9 6 3 w M ZINVENTORS 49 WALTER F. KNEBUSCH BY ALDEN H. BURKHOLDE'R ATTORNEY y 1941-w. F. KNEBUSCH -ETAL 7,389

PROCESSING OF THREAD OR THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Feb. 1,1936 INVENTORS WALT ER I. KNEBUSCH 3%:1EN H. BURKHOLDER ATTOR N EYPatented July 1, 1941 UNITED STATES Walter F. Knebusch, Dayton,

and Alden H. Burkholder, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Industrial RayonCorporation, Gleveland, Ohio, 2. corporation of Delaware ApplicationFebruary 1, 1936, Serial No. 61,956

Renewed 9 Claims.

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for the continuousprocessing of filaments, threads, ribbons, bands, tapes, etc.,hereinafter referred to as thread or the like.

For convenience, the invention will be described March 29, 1940 inconnection with the continuous processing of thread or the like on.apparatus of a type generally similar to that shown, described andclaimed in a prior application for patent entitled Manufacture ofartificial silk, Serial No. 7,114, filed February 13, 1935, by W. F.Knebusch and A. H. Burkholder. In the present application, as in saidprior application, the apparatus shown comprises a plurality ofthread-storage, threadadvancing devices disposed in processing sequenceon each of which the thread or the like is subjected to one or moreprocessing steps. Liquid processing treatments are applied to the threador the like on certain of the earlier thread-storage, thread-advancingdevices, after which the thread or the like is dried, preferably, butnot necessarily, on another thread-storage, threadadvancing device.Thereafter the thread or the like is collected, as, for example, oncap-twisting apparatus.

The present invention provides certain im provements over priorprocessing practices.

For instance, the invention provides immediately prior to the dryingoperation a. stage in which no processing liquid is applied to thethread or the like, but in which, on the other hand, the liquid carriedover by the thread or the like from the preceding liquid processingstage or stages is allowed to drip oil the thread or the like. Duringthis step, the thread or the like is preferably stored on athread-storage, thread-advancing device: inasmuch as a relatively longlength of thread or the like may be stored on such a device, it ispossible thereby to efiect the removal of a large part of the excessliquid carried by the thread or the like. The invention further providesapparatus comprising a chamber to which drying medium is supplied and,enclosed within it, advancing device on which the drying of the threador the like may be eiiected. The use of a drip stage in conjunction withdrying apparatus of this kind makes possible rapid, efficient andeconomical processing of the thread or the like,

The invention will be illustrated herein as applied to the processing ofmultiple filament viscose artificial silk thread.

In the drawings Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, from lineI--l of Figure 2 of apa thread-storage, thread-' paratus embodying theinvention. Figure 2 is a corresponding front elevation. Figure 3 is aslightly enlarged elevation of a portion of the machine comprising oneof the thread-storage, thread advancing devices with its associatedapparatus for applying processing liquid. Figure 4 is a sectionalelevation to a larger scale, along line 4-5 of Figure 5, of one form ofthreadstorage, thread-advancing device capable of being employed in thedrying operation. Figure 5 is an end elevation thereof, parts beingshown as broken away. Figure 6 is a longitudinal section of another formof thread-storage, thread-advancing device, which may, if desired, beemployed in the wet processing steps. Figure 7 is a plan of the dryingapparatus of Figures 4 and 5.

In the apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, thread I from somesuitable source, such as a preceding thread-storage, thread-advancingdevice, proceeds in sequence to each of a plurality of thread-storage,thread-advancing devices 2, 3, 4 from the last of which it proceeds :tocaptwister 5. The thread-storage, thread-advancing devices shown are ofcantilever form; 1. e., supported and driven from one end only. They aredisposed in stepped arrangement with the thread discharge end of eachthread-storage, thread-advancing device adjacent the thread receivingend of the succeeding thread-storage, thread-advancing device, thisarrangement providing important advantages in allowing access to thethread-storage, thread-advancing devices for starting the threadthereon, inspection, repair, etc. The earlier thread-storage,thread-advancing devices may be devoted to the wet processing of thethread while thread-storage, thread-advancing device 4 may be devoted todrying of the thread.

The thread-storage, thread-advancing devices employed in the practice ofthe invention may conveniently take the form of reels of the kindillustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6.

By reference to Figures 4 and 5 it can be seen seen that each reelcomprises two rigid, generally cylindrical members 6 and l. Member 6,which may be termed the concentric member, is mounted concentricallyupon and for rotation with drive shaft 8 and has its periphery comprisedof a plurality of bar members 9. Member 1, which may be termed theeccentric member, is rotatably mounted with its axis slightly oifsetfrom and inclined to that of the concentric member and has its peripherycomprised of bar members it,

a preferably reinforced at their outer ends by an annular rib I l,disposed alternately with bar members 9 of concentric member 6.Eccentric member 1 forms part of a generally cylindrical cage-likemember H mounted, as by bolts i=3, on an annular supporting member l2.Annular supporting member I? is rotatably supported in offset andinclined position with respect to the axis of concentric member 3 bybeing suitably mounted on frame member it, the shaft 8 being journalledin or otherwise supported in correct relationship Wlth frame member i5.A bushing it may be provided in annular supporting member if to act as abearing, if desired.

The reel of Figures 4 and 5 is particularly adapted to the applicationof a processing medium from the interior of the reel. In the embodimentillustrated, the means for accomplishing this function comprises ahollow drive shaft 8 communicating through ports ll with a chamber H3 inthe body portion of concentric member 6. A plurality of holes l9 whichmay be spaced between the bar vmembers 9 of concentric member 8 providecommunication between the chamber I8 and the periphery of the reel.which is shown as closing the end of hollow shaft 8, holds concentricmember 6 against the pin 2| in shaft 8, which pin serves to locatemember 5 longitudinally of the shaft and also may drive member 6, sincethe projecting ends of pin 2! may be positioned in a slot 22 in member6. Sealing means 23 may be provided, if desired, to prevent the escapeof processing medium past shaft 8. To prevent the entrance of processingmedium into that portion of the reel mechanism at the junction ofconcentricmember 6 and eccentric member 1 and to prevent the escape oflubricants which might stain or soil the thread on the reel, flexiblesealing means Mare provided.

Rotation of the drive shaft 8 causes concentric member 5, fixed thereto,to rotate, whereupon contact of bar members 9 of concentric member 6with bar members I!) of eccentric member 1 causes said eccentric memberto rotate at the same angular speed. During such rotation, the offsetrelationship of the generally cylindrical members 6 and '1 causes thethread to transfer from the bar members of one generally cylindricalmember to the bar members of the other generally cylindrical member. Atthe same time, the inclined relationship of said generally cylindricalmembers causes the thread to advance in a plurality of spaced, generallyhelical turns. With a reel of this general type, any desired length ofthe thread within reasonable limits may be temporarily continuouslystored in a plurality of advancing turns, without tangling or excessivetension on the thread.

The reel of Figure 6 is of the same general type as the reel of Figures4 and 5, the only difference being that no provision is made forsupplying processing medium to the thread from the inte rior of thereel.

As in the previously described reel, the reel of Figure 6 comprises twogenerally cylindrical members to and la mounted in offset and inclinedrelationship. Eccentric member la may be identical with thecorresponding member of the previously described reel. The body portionof concentric member 6a is preferably formed with an annular wall 28supporting the bar members 9. The hub 29 on which member 6a. issupported on the shaft 8a is-recessed so the endof the shaft 8a andthenut 3!, by means of which Plug bolt 20,

the concentric member Ea is mounted on said shaft by being held betweenthe nut 3| and shoulder 32 on said shaft, are contained within the bodyof member 6a and this protected from processing liquids. To drive member6a from the shaft 8a, which may be solid, a pin Zia through shaft 8a maybe provided, the projecting ends of said pin fitting in the slots 22 inthe member 6a. Since the manner in which the thread is stored andadvanced on this reel is identical to that of the previously-describedreel, no further description is necessary.

Reels of both types are shown, described, and claimed in copendingapplication Serial No. 61,954.

In the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2, the earlier thread-storage,thread-advancing devices may be devoted to wet processing treatments andthus it may be advantageous to employ reels of the type of Figure 6 forthese processing stages. In

cases where it is desired to apply a processing liquid to the threadwhile it is stored on a reel, as on reel 2, the apparatus illustrated inFigure 3 may be employed. In this apparatus, thread I.

starts on the reel 2 at the rear and is advanced axially ofthe reeluntil it is discharged at the front end thereof. Processing liquid maybe showered down on the thread stored on the reel from a suitablypositioned reagent distributor 33 supp-lied by a pipe 34 which mayextend longitudinally of the machine and serve all the reels in ahorizontal series devoted to the same processing treatment. Theprocessing liquid may be collected in a trough 35 of suitable designwhich may also extend longitudinally of the machine and serve all thecorresponding reels in a horizontal series. The liquid collected intrough 35 may be passed to sewer or, if desired, may be recirculated bysuitable means through pipe 3 3.

As previously mentioned, it is desirable in continuous processingapparatus of the type described to provide a drip stage after the lastof the liquid processing stages. Thus in the apparatus shown in Figures1 and 2, a processing liquid such as wash water may be applied to thethread on reel 2 in which case reel 3 may constitute a drip stage; thatis, a stage in which no processing liquid is applied to the thread butin which, on the other hand, the liquid carried over by the thread fromthe preceding stage is allowed to drip off into the collecting trough 35below. Thus a substantial portion of the excess moisture is removedbefore the thread is subjected to the drying operation. Therefore alarge saving is effected in the amount of drying medium required and aless intense drying treatment is necessary, since much less moisturemust be removed from the thread;

In the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2, the thread is dried onthread-storage, thread-advancing device 4, which may be a reel of thetype of Figures 4 and 5. As shown in the last-mentioned figures, gaseousdrying medium is applied from the interior of the reel to the threadstored thereon. To aid in the drying of the thread by intensifying theaction of the drying medium, to reduce the amount of drying mediumrequired, and to. permit more accurate control over drying conditions inthe immediate vicinity of the reel, it has been found desirable toenclose the drying reel in a chamber 36. As shown, chamber 36 virtuallycompletely encloses reel l: this is advantageous in that it preventsescape of the drying medium. As can be readily seen, the cantileverconstruction of the reel described lends itself to virtually completeenclosure of the reel and also to a design of the enclosing chamberproviding ready access to the reel for threading up, inspection, repair,etc.

The chamber 36 includes a wall adjacent the unsupported end of the reel,the wall in this case taking the form of a cover 31, hingedly mounted onside wall 38. The cover 3? supports or is formed integral with theportion 39 of the wall 4!, in this case the top wall, through which thethread enters the chamber as it starts on the reel. A slot 42, throughwhich the thread passes when entering the chamber, may be provided atthe juncture of the movable portion 39 of the top wall and thestationary portion 43 of the top wall of the chamber. If the slot 42 isformed in the movable portion 33, it may be suitably formed as shown inFigure 7 to prevent interference with the thread when the front wall 37and the portion 39 of the top wall are swung open to provide access tothe reel. Since the thread leaves the reel at the free Or front endthereof, a slot it may be provided in a wall opposite this point throughwhich the thread may leave the chamber.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the slot it is in thebottom wall 15 of the chamber and may be substantially closed by anextending lip it carried by the front wall 37. Latch il may be employedto keep the chamber closed. When access is desired to the reel 4 in thechamber 36, the front wall 3'11 together with the top portion 39 andextending lip 56 are swung back on the hinges 48, exposing the reel.Threading up of the reel is therefore a simple matter, the thread Ibeing led on the reel at the rear, caused to progress along the reelduring rotation thereof, and led oif the reel at the front thereofthrough the slot it in the chamber. The chamber may then be closed, theslot 52 eliminating any interference between the swingable portion 39and the thread starting on the reel.

If desired, the drying medium may be recirculated. In the apparatus ofFigures 1 and 2, for instance, the drying medium is exhausted from eachchamber 35 through duct 39 which communicates with the exhaust conduit50 extending longitudinally of the machine and serving all the dryingchambers in a horizontal series. The exhausted medium then passesthrough reheating or other reconditioning apparatus 56, after which itpasses to the supply conduit 52 extending longitudinally of theapparatus. From the latter, through ducts 53, the drying medium issupplied to the interior of the reel through hollow drive shaft 8. Airor other gas, which may be heated, if desired, may conveniently beemployed as the drying medium.

The cap-twister 5, conveniently comprising the collecting device for thethread after it leaves the last reel i, is actuated by suitablemechanism. A plurality of cap-twisters are mounted on a lifting rail 56which is supported by the brackets ill. Brackets 57 are designed toguide the lifting rail in its vertical path, each comprising guidesurfaces 6. which slide on a rigidly supported guide rod 59. The liftingrail 65 is vertically reciprocated by tension members ll fastenedthereto at one end and at the other to the sprockets "i2 rigidly mountedon a rotatable shaft 73 extending parallel to the lifting rail. Theshaft 13 is given a suitable oscillatory motion which causes the chainit to wind on and unwind from sprockets 12, thus reciprocating liftingrail 86. This oscillatory motion is imparted to shaft 73 by tensionmembers 14 adapted to wind on and unwind from sprockets l5 rigidlymounted on shaft 13 and actuated by levers Hi from cams 11 mounted ondrive shaft 18. Counter-weights may be supplied to counterbalance theweight of the reciprocating parts.

The whirls it of each pair of adjacent captWisteIs 5 are driven by belt82 from rapidly rotatin drum 83. Guide rollers 84, also adapted toreciprocate vertically by being supported by brackets 57, may beprovided to guide the belts 82 on the whirls Til. A belt tightener 85may also be supplied for each belt. The effect of this captwistingmechanism is to rapidly rotate and vertically reciprocate the bobbins ofthe several captwisters so that the thread is twisted and at the sametime wound in regular form upon the bobbins in the well known manner. Toprevent the balloon formed by the thread during the operation of eachtwister from interfering with those of adjacent twisters, shields 86 maybe provided between adjacent twisters. Such shields may conveniently bemade part of the supporting means of the chamber 36 and may also supportthe thread guides 87 through which the thread passes on its way to thetwisters 5.

In the apparatus shown, the thread has an approximately straight travelfrom the drying reel 5 to cap-twister 5, in consequence of which factthe actual twisting of the thread takes place at least as far back asthe point at which the thread is discharged from the reel and perhapseven on the reel itself within a short distance of the point at whichthe thread leaves the reel. In either case, the twist is introduced intothe thread in chamber 36; consequently, the thread is twisted whilesubjected to the processing conditions obtaining in such chamber. Thisis advantageous in that it is possible by twisting the thread at atemperature substantially above room temperature to eliminate anynecessity for a subsequent consequence: the twist ent shall cover, bysuitable expression in the appended claims, whatver features ofpatentable novelty reside in the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In the processing of thread or the like pursuant to a method in whichthe thread or the like is passed in sequence to a plurality ofindependent thread-storage devices on each of which the thread or thelike is continuously but temporarily stored in a large number ofgenerally helical turns, the steps of subjecting the thread or the liketo processing treatment while it is stored on a first of said pluralityof thread-storage devices; passing the thread or the like from saidfirst to a second of said plurality of threadstorage devices on whichthe thread or the like is stored in a suflicient length so that over atleast part of the helix, on which part no processing liquid is appliedto the thread or the like,

elevated temperature in immediate proximity to said third of ,saidplurality of thread-storage devices.

2. In the processing of thread or the like pursuant to a method in whichthe thread is passed in sequence to a plurality of independentthreadstorage devices on each of which the thread or the like iscontinuously but temporarily stored in a large number of generallyhelical turns, the steps of subjecting the thread or the like toprocessing treatment while it is stored on a first of said plurality ofthread-storage devices; passing the thread or the like from said first.to a second of said pulrality of thread-storage devices on which thethread or the like is stored in a sufficient length so that over atleast part of the helix, on which part no processing liquid is appliedto the thread or the like, processing liquid which has previously beenapplied to the thread or the like is permitted to drip therefrom; andpassing the thread or the like from said second to a third of saidplurality of thread-storage devices, on which the thread or the like isdried.

3. In the processing of thread or the like pursuant to a method in whichthe thread or the like is passed in sequence to a plurality ofindependent thread-storage devices on each of which the thread or thelike is continuously but temporarily stored in a large number ofgenerally helical turns, the steps of subjecting the thread or the liketo processing treatment while it is stored on the first of saidplurality of thread-storage devices; passing the thread or the like fromsaid first to a second of said plurality of thread-storage devices onwhich the thread or the like is stored in a sufiicient length so thatover at least part of the helix, on which part no processing liquid isapplied to the thread or the like, processing liquid which haspreviously been applied to the thread or the like is permitted to driptherefrom; and thereafter drying the thread or the like.

4. A method of processing viscose artificial silk thread pursuant towhich completely coagulated thread is continuously subjected toprocessing treatment comprising the steps of subjecting the thread tothe action of a processing liquid; passing the thread to a unitarythread-advancing reel on which the thread is continuously buttemporarily stored in a large number of generally helical turns in asufficient length so that over at least part of the helix, on which partno processing liquid is applied to the thread, processing liquid whichhas previously been applied to the thread is permitted to driptherefrom; and thereafter drying the thread.

5. A method of processing viscose artificial silk thread pursuant towhich completely coagulated thread is continuously subjected toprocessing treatment comprising the steps of subjecting the thread tothe action of a processing liquid; passing the thread to and removingmoisture from the thread on a unitary thread-advancing reel on which thethread is continuously but temporarily stored in a large number ofgenerally helical turns, said thread advancing reel discharging thethread in wet condition; passing the thread to and removing moisturefrom the thread on another unitary thread-advancing reel on which thethread is continuously but temporarily stored in a large number ofgenerally helical turns, the removal of moisture from the thread on saidthread advancing reel being accomplished by heating the thread to acondition of substantial dryness; and twisting the thread while still atan elevated temperature in immediate proximity to said last-mentionedthread-advancing reel.

6. The method of claim 5 in which, in the course of the step of removingmoisture from the thread on said first-mentioned thread-advancing reel,liquid clinging to the thread is allowed to drip therefrom.

7. The method of claim 5 in which, in the course of the step of removingmoisture from the thread on said last-mentioned thread-advancing reel,the thread is twisted in contact with said threadadvancing reel.

8. Apparatus for the processing of thread or the like comprising a firstthread-storage, threadadvancing device on which the thread or the likeis stored in a suificient length so that over at least part of saidthread-storage, thread-advancing device, on which part no processingliquid is applied to the thread or the like, processing liquid which haspreviously been applied to the thread or the like is permitted to driptherefrom; a second thread-storage, thread-advancing device on whichthread-storage, thread-advancing device the thread or the like is dried;and, associated with said second thread-storage, threadadvancing device,means for introducing a twist into the thread or the like before thethread or the like leaves said thread-storage, thread-advancing device.

9. Apparatus for the processing of thread or the like comprising a firstthread-storage, threadadvancing device on which the thread or the likeis subjected to processing treatment; a second thread-storage,thread-advancing device on which the thread or the like is stored in asufiicient length so that over at least part of said thread-storage,thread-advancing device, on which part no processing liquid is appliedto the thread or the like, processing liquid which has previously beenapplied to the thread or the like is permitted to drip therefrom; athird threadstorage, thread-advancing device on which thread-storage,thread-advancing device the thread or the like is dried; and, associatedwith said third thread-storage, thread-advancing device, means forintroducing a twist into the thread or the like before the thread or thelike leaves said thread-storage, thread-advancing device.

WALTER F. KNEBUSCH. ALDEN H. BURKHOLDER.

